Clipping or grooming machine.



No. 766,182. PATENTED AUG.' 2, 1904. A. L. HALE.

CLIPPING 0B. GROOMING MACHINE.

APPLIATION FILED MAB.. 30. 1903.

NO MODEL.

Patented August 2, 1904.

UNITED STATES PATENT CEETCE.

ALBERT LEE HALE, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

GLIPPING OR GROONIING MACHINE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 766,182, dated August 2, 1904.

Application filed March 30,1903. Serial No. 150,127. lNo model.)

To ft/Z 'Ll/7mm, 'if 'may con/cern:

Be it known that l, ALB nRTLEn HALE, a citizen of the United States of America, and a resident of Chicago, Cook county, Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Clipping or Grooming Machines, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to certain improvements in that class of machines which are adapted for use in clipping or brushing or grooming horses and other animals; and the object of the invention is to provide a machine of this general character of a simple and inexpensive nature and of a compact, strong, and durable construction, which shall not be liable to become deranged or broken while in use, and which shall be capable of convenient and economical use.

The invention consists in certain novel features of the construction, combination, and arrangement of the several parts of the improved clipping or grooming machine whereby certain important advantages are attained and the device is made simpler, cheaper, and otherwise better adapted and more convenient for use than various other similar machines heretofore devised, all as will be hereinafter fully set forth.

The novel features of the invention will be carefullyY defined in the claims.

In the accompanying' drawings, which serve to illustrate my invention, Figure l is an elevation drawn to a small scale and showing my invention embodied in a grooming or clipping machine, and Fig. Q isasectional view drawn to a larger scale and taken transversely through the motor at the upper part of the machine in the plane indicated by the line a a, in Fig. l. Fig. 3 is an enlarged sectional view showingone of theantifriction-bearings for the motor-shaft of the improved machine. Fig. l is an enlarged fragmentary view showing the construction of the flexible shaft at the lower end of the motor-shaft of the machine and the connection of said flexible shaft with the motor-shaft. Fig. 5 is a perspective view showing detached one of the links or sections of the flexible shaft forming part of the improved machine. Fig. b is a sectional view taken lengthwise through the handle at K the end of the flexible shaft of the machine and showing certain features of the clutch mechanism within said handle, as will be hercnafter explained. Fig. 7 is a transverse section taken through said handle in the plane indicated b v the line in Fig. 6. Fig. 8 is a sectional view showing certain features of the connection between the flexible housing or sheath for the flexible shaft of the device and the rigid sheath or sleeve which incloses the motor-shaft of the device. Fig. 9 is a fragmentary detail view showing the construction of the connection between the end of the flexible shaft of the device and the socketpiece for connection of a brush or other device therewith. Fig. l() is a detail view showing detached one of the coupling members employed for connecting together the links or sections of the flexible shaft.

As shown in the views, l indicates a bracket having two arms extended down from its opposite sides, and said bracket is adapted to be attached to the ceiling of a stable or other building wherein the improved clipping or grooming machine is arranged for use, the arms of the bracket extending downward and being spaced apart to receive between their lower ends a circulaiband or annulus 3, the opposite sides of which have bearings in which are engaged the tips of pivot pins or screws 2 9., carried by the lower ends of the arms of said bracket l, the construction being such that the band or ring 3 is held by said screws or pins 2 at diametrically opposite sides for pivotal or swinging movement.

At diametrically opposite points and midway between the bea rings for the pivot screws or pins 2 Z the ring or band 3 is provided with other pivot screws or pins l l, the tips of which are extended within said band or ring and have engagement in bearings at diametrically opposite sides of a cylindrical frame or casing 5, wherein is arranged a motor 6 of any well-known construction,` the arrangement of the parts being such that the said frame or case 5 is held for pivotal or swinging lmovement within the band or ring 3 in a plane at right angles to the plane in which the pivotal connections of the ring or band with the bracket-arms permit said ring or IOC) band 3 to swing with relation to said bracketarms, so that in this way a kind of universal joint is provided for the support ofthe motor casing or frame from the ceiling and said casing or frame is permitted to swing freely in different directions.

The frame or casing 5 for the motor has a downwardly extended portion in which is formed abearing 8", through which the shaft 7 of the motor is extended vertically downward, and with the bearing 8a is connected the upper end of a metal sleeve or sheath 8, which forms a housing for the motor-shaft 7 and is extended vertically downward below the motor and is preferably formed in sections, as shown in Figs. 1 and 3,`said sections being connected by couplings 9, within which are held betweenthe ends of the sections cones 11, as seen in Figs. 3 and 8, balls 12 being interposed between the cones and having engagement with the perimeter of the shaft 7 in such a way as to hold the same rigidly in vertical position to lessen side strains thereon, the balls 12 at the ,same time lessening friction as much as possible.

The lower end of the sleeve or housing 8 is provided with a coupling-sleeve 10, as seen in Figs. 1, 4, and 8, and to said sleeve is con` nected a flexible sheath or housing 13, forming a continuation of the rigid sheath or housing 8, but adapted to be bent laterally, as shown in Fig. 1. The end of the flexible sheath or housing 13 is adapted for turning movement in the sleeve 10, being held in a socket in said sleeve by means of a screw-cap 13, which engages over an enlargement on the housing 13 and screws on the sleeve 10.

I/Vithin the'sheath or housing 13 is extended a flexible shaft 18, formed of connected links or sections 19, one end of the iiexible shaft being connected, as shown in Fig. 8, with the lower end of the motor-shaft?, while the other end of said flexible shaft is adapted for connection, as will be hereinafter explained, with a brush or clipping devicev or other tool, the flexibility of the shaft'18 and its sheath or housing' 13 permitting these' parts to be bent at angles to the direction ofthe vertical motorshaft, sothat the tool carried on the'extremity of said flexible shaft may be conveniently passed over the horse or other animal to be brushed or clipped.

Since the flexible sheath or housing turns inside the Acoupling-sleeve 10, the tool on the end of the flexible shaft'may be swung completely round in a'circular path to permit of using'it on either Yside of a horse without requiring the animal to be turned about. In this way a smaller space is required in which the machine may be operated than would be needed were it required to turn the horse to work'on each side, and also a saving' ofv time and labor is effected.

Tol reinforce the sheath or housing of ythe iiexiblesha'ft at the point' where it connects with the sleeve 10, I provide on the sheath a wire coil 25, the spiral turns of which are gradually opened or spread apart, 'as seen at 26, so that a graduated resistance to iexure is effected at this point and increased strength and durability are afforded.

The sheath or housing for the flexible shaft is formed in two parts, an inner part or member 14,r made in the form of a coiled metal strip or wire inside which the flexible shaft is adapted to freely turn, and an outer part or member 15, made in tubular form from an` oil-'proof rubber preparation, which is arranged over and fits snugly on the inner me tallic sheath member 14.

The coils or turns of the inner sheath mem,- ber 14 are spaced slightly apart from each other, as seen in Fig. 4, to permit the required lengthening and shortening of the sides of the sheath to compensate for fiexure of the inclosed flexible shaft, and one end of the sheath is connected with a coupling-sleeve 16, somewhat like sleeve 10, but interiorly screwthreaded for connection with one end of a handle 17, adapted to be grasped by the hand of a person using the machine for guiding the brush or other tool on the end of the flexible i shaft over the animal to be clipped or groomed.

The links or sections 19 of the flexible shaft 18 are formed from blanks cut from sheet steel or other material of proper strength, which blanks are bent or otherwise formed up into tubular shape with adjacent meeting edges, as indicated at 2O in Fig. 5, which is an enlarged detail view showing one of said links or sections detached, and each of said links or sections is provided at its opposite ends with integral oppositely-arranged arms or projections 22, which are perforated to receive pivot pins or lugs 21, extended from the sides of a coupling disk or member 23, which is thereby pivotally connected to the said link or section 19 of the flexible shaft.

Each coupling disk or member 23 is made in the form shown in Fig'. 10, with two sets or pairs of oppositely-arranged pins or lugs 21 integrally formed upon it, the lugs or pins of one pair or set being arranged at opposite points midway between the lugs or pins of the other pair or set. In connecting a link or section 19 to a disk or member 23 the arms 22 at one end of said link or section are bent toward each other, care being taken to engage the pins 21 of one pair vor set on the member 23 with the perforations in the arms 22 of said link or section 19. The next link or section19 of the shaft 18 has its arms 22 pivotally connected in a similar way with the other' pair or set of pins 21 of the said coupling disk or member 23, the arms of the last-mentioned link or section 19 being thus arranged midway between those of the first-named link or section to produce a universal jointv or connection between each two adjacent links or sections 19, so as lto permit iexure o'f the shaft invari- IOO IIO

'realce ous lflirections to accommodate convenient use of the tool carried thereon.

Upon each link or section 19 of the flexible shaft is held a bushing or wearing part 24, preferably formed of a tubular piece of compressed fiber or other suitable material held upon the central cylindrical body portion of the link or section and adapted by contact of its peripheral surface with the inner coiledwire part 14 of the flexible sheath 13 to prevent contact of the arms 22 with said sheath when the shaft is flexed, so as to lessen the strains and wear of the arms and sheath as much as possible.

Yithin the sleeve 16, which connects the housing or sheath 13 with the handle 17 of the tool, the flexible shaft 18 has connection, as shown in Fig. 9, with a stud 7", to which rotative movement is thereby imparted, the stud T having secured upon it a socketpiece 36, adapted to turn within the sleeve 16 and having on its end an annular shouldered enlargement, as shown in Figs. 6 and 9. 37 indicates a spiral spring coiled on the socketpiece 36 with one end arrang'ed to bear upon the shouldered enlargement thereof and its other end arranged to bear against an annular stop 38, held inside the flexible sheath 13. By this construction a certain extent of endwise play of the socket-piece is permitted independent of any movement of the sheath or housing' 13, so that flexure of the shaft 1S is permitted, the tension exerted on the shaft by the spring 37 serving-to hold the shaft drawn taut at all times, so that kinking of the shaft at the joints between the links is prevented.

The handle 17, as herein shown, is formed with end pieces 29 and 30, between which is extended a tubular shell or casing 31, hollowed in its interior to receive within it certain clutch devices to be hereinafter referred to. and in one of the end pieces of the handleas 29, for example-is held to turn a stud 32, the inner end of which has connection with a clutch member or collar 34 in the hollow of said stud has connection with a collar 33, held to turn in a countersink in the outer end of the end piece 29. Beyond the collar 33 the end of stud is screw-threaded, as shown at 35, and is adapted to be received within a screw-threaded socket produced in the socketpiece 36.

The clutch member 34 has an enlarged end portion 39, provided with a clutch-surface 40, and within it and alined with the end of the stud is produced a socket 41, in which is received for endwise sliding movement one end of a stud 42, the other end of which is extended through the opposite end piece of the handle and carries on its outer extremity a brush or other tool 48, as shown in Fig'. 1 of the drawings.

Upon the stud 42 is carried asecond clutchi l l l l member 43, held to turn in unison with said stud and having' at that end which is adjacent to the clutch member 34 an enlargement 44, provided with a clutch-surface 45, adapted when said member 43 is moved in the direction of its axis of rotation to engage the surface on member 34, so as to bind the two members 34 and 43 to rotate in unison, whereby the stud 42 will be driven from the stud 32, as will be readily understood.

The adjacent enlarged end portions of the clutch members 34 and 43 al'e hollowed out, as seen at 46, to receive the ends of a coiled spring 47, the tension of which is exerted to normally hold the clutch members pushed away from each other with their surfaces 40 and 45 out of engagement, so that normally the stud 42 and the brush or other tool carried thereon are held stationary.

49 indicates a lever one end of which is extended through a slot formed lengthwise in the side of the shell 31 of the handle 17 and is provided with a thumb-piece 54, while the inner opposite end thereof is provided with forks 50 50, spaced apart and adapted to take over opposite sides of the stud 42, which is movable between the said forks. The forks 50 50 have outward projections 51 extended from their opposite sides to the inner wall of the shell 31, and in said projections are engaged screws 52, passed through opposite sides of the shell, as seen in Fig. 7, on which screws the lever turns or swings pivotally. The slot in the sleeve 31 is open at the end of said sleeve to permit of readily introducing the lever in assembling the parts.

The lower end portions of the forks 50 of lever 49 are arranged for engagement upon the end surface of the movable clutch member 43, and when the level' 49 is swung pivotally from the position shown in full lines to that shown in dotted lines at :1f in Fig. 6 the said lower end portions 53 are caused to press the member 43 endwise against the tension of spring' 47 in such a way as to engage the clutch-surface 45 thereof with the surface 40 of member 34, whereby the member 43 together with stud 42 and the brush or other tool carried thereon are caused to be rotated from the member 34 on the stud 32.

The brush 4S with its handle 17 are detachably connected with the flexible shaft 1S, so that when desired said brush and its handle may be removed from the machine and a clipping' device or other Vtool may be substituted therefor. lt will also be obvious that a very material advantage is attained by the employment of the clutch mechanism for driving the brush from the motor, since by the employment of this means the brush is normally not IOC) IIO

IIS

driven, and consequently may be more con- Y veniently manipulated, and at the same time the'movement of the flexible shaft may be communicated to the brush bymerely pressing the thumb upon the part 54 of lever 49.

The flexible shaft 18 is also completely housed and covered by its sheath 15, so that there is no liability of the same catching in the clothing of the operator or catching the manes or tails of the animals being operated upon, and the construction of the sheath is such that suiiicient strength and durability is imparted thereto without in any way interfering with the flexure or sweep of the shaft required in reaching all parts of the animals. Also since the shaft constructed as above described requires the free use of oil for its proper lubrication it will be evident that the employment of the oil-proof outer sheath member is of considerable advantage in preventing soiling of the clothing and waste of lubricant.

When desired, the fiexible shaft 18, constructed of links 19, may be dispensed with and shafts of other known constructions may be used in lieu thereof, either in connection with the sheath 18 or without the employment of any sheath, and it will also be obvious that when the brush 48 is removed and replaced by a clipping device or other tool the clutch mechanism within the handle 17 may also be dispensed with, since such clutch mechanism is primarily designed for use in connection with brushes, although, if desired, it may also be used in connection with other devices.

In Fig. 1 I have shown the circuit-conductors 6a for the motor 6 as connected through a reversing-switch 6b with its generator 6, and by this arrangement it will be seen that by means of the switch 6b the motor may be quickly and conveniently reversed, so that the iiexible shaft and the brush 48 thereon may be driven inopposite directions to permit of brushing the hair on opposite sides of the animals in the same way. The motorcasing also being arranged to swing from the ceiling or other supporting means permits the main shaft 7 of the clipping or grooming machine to be connected directly to the armature, so that all unnecessary loss of power, such as would be caused by the employment of gearing, is avoided, and at the same time the free swinging movement of said shaft 7 necessary for the proper operation of the machine is permitted.

From the above description of my invention it will be obvious that the improved clipping or grooming machine is of an extremely sin1- ple and inexpensive nature and is especially well adapted for use both by reason of the convenience and facility with which it may be used and also of the economy effected by the connection of the motor directly with the machine-shaft and the absence of any gearing whatever at this point, and it will also be obvious from the above description that the device is susceptible of considerable modification without material departure from the principles and spirit of the invention, and for this reason I do not wish to be understood as limiting myself to the precise form and arrangement of the several parts of the device as herein set forth in carrying out my invention in practice.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is4

1. In a machine of the character described, the combination of a motor, means for movably supporting the same, a shaft connected with Iand driven from the motor and adapted for connection with a brush or other device, a sheath or housing in which the shaft is inclosed, said sheath or housing being formed of sections having cou pling-sleeves and ball-bearings held within the coupling-sleeves between the ends of the sheath-sections and engaged with said shaft.

2. In a machine of the character described, the combination of a motor, means for movably supporting the same, a shaft connected with and driven from the motor, a sheath or housing in which the motor-driven shaft is inclosed, a iiexible shaft having connection with the motor-driven shaft and extended beyond the end of the inclosing sheath or housing thereof and adapted for connection with a brush or other device, and a flexible sheath inclosing the flexible shaft and having one end .portion held to turn on an end of the sheath or housing of the motor-driven shaft, substantially as set forth. Y

3. In a machine of the character described, the combination of a machine-shaft, a sheath in which the shaft is held to turn, means for movably supporting the sheath and shaft, a flexible shaft having connection with the machine-shaft, a brush or other device having a handle andconnected with said flexible shaft to be driven therefrom and a iiexible sheath for the iiexible shaft, said sheath being held to turn in the sheath of the machine-shaft and being connected with the handle of the brush or other device, substantially as set forth.

4. In a machine of the character described, the combination of a machine-shaft, a sheath in which the shaft is held to turn, means for movably supporting the sheath and shaft, a iexible shaft having connection with the machine-shaft, a brush or other device having a handle and connected with said flexible shaft to be driven therefrom, a flexible sheath for the flexible shaft, said sheath being held to turn in the sheath of the machine-shaft and being connected with the handle of the brush or other device, and means for compensating for iiexure of the flexible shaft, substantially as set forth.

In a machine of the character described, the combination of a machine-shaft, a sheath in which the shaft is held to turn, means for movably supporting the sheath and shaft, a exible shaft having connection with the machine-shaft,` a brush or other device having a IOO IIS

handle provided with a Stud, a socket-piece to compensate t'orexnreot' the fiexible Shaft,

connected with the fiexible Shaft and provided Substantially as set forth. IO with a socket to receive Said Stud, a iexible Signed at Chicago, Illinois, this 5th day of sheathextemledoverthe Hexibleshaftbetween Marcil, 1903.

5 the sheath of the machine-shaft and said han- ALBERT LEE HALE,

die, and a spring interposed between the fitnessesz socket-piece on the flexible shaft anda part J.D. CAPLINGER,

heid by said sheath, Said spring being arranged C. CAPLING En. 

